Fergie's Midfield Priorities

RedThaiDevils#7 said:
As much as I love Carrick, I think that SAF will be looking towards the future too, Fletch is still 26 but Carrick is reaching his peak...

As much as we want a creative MF, I thought this has been sorted out ever since we've found Rooney's best position is behind Hernandez...

So basically in our 4-4-1-1 position, we already have Rooney in 1 of those 3 CM's positions...

So how about the other two ? Our best 2CM's was Scholes and Keane ? Now we've lost both and we have Giggsy/Anderson who replaces Scholes while we have Fletcher and Carrick playing for Keane's role with Gibbo being a backup for both...

I still think we are more weaker in the defense position, the Keano role a box to box player with the ability to get stuck in, dribble and control the game...

As much as I love Carrick/Fletcher, I still think both wouldn't be classed as world class yet and at 29, the potential isn't there anymore as you're living on the peak of your footballing years... Keano also started to stall here when your legs start to give in.

I think the soul reason why there hasn't been much movement in the CM department is that we have to really conclude which MF we want and with most of the players we are linked with.... We've been crying out loud for a flair/creative MF player for quite some time.

But for me, this has been neglected after I saw Rooney regain form, Rooney has the qualities to be that player for us, not to mention I have extreme faith in Anderson as I know that Giggsy will definitely still be the beast he is in CM...

So I'd rather prioritize a DM/All rounder, one who can also play deep, intercept but will also have the skills in the final third to help add another dimension of play to us..

For me:
1. Banega: At 22 with a whole career awaiting for him... Its time for him to make the big move and evolve on the big stage... Very smart player, intercepts well, good passer too though this won't be considered his strengths because his true strengths is his ability on the ball, his dribbling and how he gets out of tight positions... Has the attributes of the CM we currently lack and if Silva costs 25m, I'm sure Ever will not be more than 25m with Valencia's financial woes... Ever in my book will be a real shout.. However the only problem is that we are not linked yet.

I would also welcome a Makelele type of CM... tenacious and really stuck in... However I don't see that in Lass and with all the great negative news about his whining, I'd rather he stay there at the circus...

Maybe there are other targets out there.
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I agree totally with this post.


As I said a couple of weeks ago, we need a midfield General... Keano/ De Rossi style.
 
If Nasri is costing something like 10-15 mil certainly he should be first choice.

Modric would cost more than 40 mil pounds.So we could utilize our budget better.

I would us to sign Sanchez at 31 mil too.

Or Sniejder and Young for the same amounts.
 
Is it just me that thinks Tottenham might be trying to move Modric? Every single day there's quotes from Harry (and young Jamie) saying how much of a world class player he is, how he definitely isn't leaving and how he is worth "way more" than £20m.

It seems he doth protest too much.
 
We heard you the first time Pogue.
 
Manchester United showed interest in Mesut Ozil, says agent | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

What I find most interesting about this story is not that it went anywhere its that nobody in the media knew United had even done this until the agent came out with this statement.

It makes you wonder how much of what we see in the papers is actually grounded in any fact at all. We've been linked to all manner of players this summer but not one paper was in the know we approached Ozil.

Indeed, until Phil Jones arrived at United for a medical how many newspapers actually knew we'd gone in for him? They were all wise after the event. Given how little the media seem to know about our transfers I think we can take virtually all the rumours involving United with a pinch of salt.
 
For me my muppet order would be:
Sneijder
Nasri
Pastore
Modric

Modric bottom of the list as the others would contribute more goals in CM which we're lacking.
 
finneh said:
Is it just me that thinks Tottenham might be trying to move Modric? Every single day there's quotes from Harry (and young Jamie) saying how much of a world class player he is, how he definitely isn't leaving and how he is worth "way more" than £20m.

It seems he doth protest too much.
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IMHO its obvious they want to start a bidding war and move him on. Same with Bale. Probably moreso with Bale because he's so injury prone and if they could cash in him now before he breaks down they'll be laughing.
 
#07 said:
IMHO its obvious they want to start a bidding war and move him on. Same with Bale. Probably moreso with Bale because he's so injury prone and if they could cash in him now before he breaks down they'll be laughing.
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Agree!

I am quite sure that Harry has wet dreams about how he can use all the money he would get
 
sincher said:
Schweinsteiger is absolutely the ideal player, but the time to buy him was a couple of years ago.

I've only seen a few games of Banega, but he's looked like the right type of player as well.
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This
 
For me, it was 2 seasons ago where we should have gotten Sneijder for cheap...

Now at 27 with his wages to think about, its a whole new story now... I still think there is some chance but if I was looking towards the future I wouldn't mark Sneijder as my main targets, too many risks involving the move but I really think he can make it if he does opt for us...

Modric, 25 not too late if we get him cheap... I would love Modric, I watch Spurs everytime and I see this small quick MF who does almost everything for them... Dribbling, passing, crossing, the lad has it in him and has a good engine to go with it. The problem with his shooting is that at times he does seem uncomfortable but as long as he is able to control the MF, we have so many top class wingers to cover for him... Who knows, he could even be better under us... Less risk as he is PL proven... For me Modric > Sneijder...

Now... I'm be pointing out a few prospects that could be possible world beaters... As we've seen Ozil who has taken up the spot light right away at RM, the Bundesliga is really underrated in terms of the market price and we could still be up for good bargains there...

1. Dortmund... If people have watched them enough, there style is a bit like ours, good technically, loves to attack and they have a decent defense too, I like watching them and their flair players are great...

They sold Sahin for cheap which I was crying out loud for us to sign ( 8m FFS ) BUT they still have a few quality players left in Goetze who mind you is only 18, but I see more in the lad than I see in Cleverly, yes, bash me if you like, Goetze's close control and dribbling and flair is on a different level compared to young Tom, has the confidence and the balance too and isn't afraid of a shoulder to shoulder challenge... I love watching him...

He will definitely come in, and will cut in the centre if he is deployed on the left and will also have a variety of play if he is deployed in the centre... His talent alone is mouth watering but I'm pretty sure the staff will have a total headache in finding his best position ( A headache I'd definitely take ) Price range will definitely be 15m - 25m already in today's market...

2. Shinji Kagawa... Now I love asian players as I'm also Asian... But I'm not going to be biased or anything... But who would have though a 500k player could play like an 18m one ? not a chance eh ? J-League ? OMG !!!

He blew all the records for me, even Park made his name in Holland but how on earth did Dortmund gamble for Shinji.... Amazing signing for them... He plays in Rooney's role now... But I will not compare him to any Rooney because he definitely isn't as good as Rooney but this boy has class... Silky touch, very composed on the ball and a good eye for the quick pass, can also do his job on the wing too and is very tricky and he runs all day just like Park... However with his current injury.. I think this has stalled any progress of any bids coming in for him, has the possibility to change into a totally different player if anything goes wrong so I'm pretty sure he will play for Dortmund for another season.

... However I think we've left out a "MASSIVE" potential... And if we look into the Dutch league I think you'll find the name... Eriksson very popular...

Remember the Danish lad that had a superb game against England ? Even with him claiming he's waiting for the right time to make his move... If there is a team willing to pay for him, I'm pretty sure he might opt for one.

Now.... Lets all keep silent and pray we don't get linked with Banega but he actually signs for us AND at a good price :devil:
 
Walrus said:
Why dont people regard Schweinsteiger as realistic? He would be ideal for us.

I know he signed a new contract, but that in itself doesnt rule out him moving not long after.
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I didn't mention Schweinsteiger cos I didn't think I was allowed to in this thread!:angel: This for me would be one hell of a signing.

The view that we need more defensive midfielders and then rely on existing attacking options is one I would have sympathy for too. As for Banega though, I think I have had about all the Argies I can take as United fan. Either they've turned out to be not very good and over priced, Veron, or turned out to be very good indeed but greedy disloyal cnuts, Heinze and Tevez. Don't think I go through with getting attached to another one only for him to want to move to Liverpool or something.
 
We should invest in a time machine, go forwards in time 3 years, and get ourselves a midfield trio of:

Morrison - Pogba - Tunnicliffe

With these 3 and a few other young CMs in mind, plus the investments we're making elsewhere, I wouldn't mind seeing us bring in a decent short term option if no "big name" fits the bill.
 
Rowem said:
We should invest in a time machine, go forwards in time 3 years, and get ourselves a midfield trio of:

Morrison - Pogba - Tunnicliffe

With these 3 and a few other young CMs in mind, plus the investments we're making elsewhere, I wouldn't mind seeing us bring in a decent short term option if no "big name" fits the bill.
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whilst i appreciate this may not have been entirely serious, it is folly to assume that all our promising youth players will develop and become first teamers for the club. We have seen it too many times before where a youngster who is supposedly a dead cert to "make it" ends up being sold to a mid table team.
Obviously I would be happy to be proved wrong on this, but meh.

It is true that we have some promising young CMs coming through though, and that is the reason why we dont need to invest in a good young CM this summer, but rather a player in (or approaching) his peak, who can step into the first team and make an immediate impact.

Modric and Schweinsteiger would be my two standout choices by a mile, but they are also arguably the most difficult/expensive ones for us to try to sign. Still, if we do want to genuinely compete with the likes of Barcelona and take our team to the next level, that is the kind of ambition we need, and those are the kinds of players we need to be trying to sign.
 
Can people explain how a Modric/Schweinsteiger type of MF would have helped us win against Barca ?

We hardly got the ball so how would these types of players help us when I think Giggsy at that point was probably the hottest attacking CM right there !

What we needed was a Hargreaves... Similar to 07/08 that we beat them in the semi's... We needed the legs, getting stuck in and a better tactic than 4-4-1-1 which was too easy for Barca to exploit.
 
Rumours stirring that ferguson is ready to gazzump our bid for Adam.

PLTBT
 
I don't think its a given that we'll be signing a central midfielder. Far from it in fact. For me, the form of Hernandez this season has changed everything, in terms of how Ferguson views the future of this team.

I can see us going out next season with a 4-2-3-1 type of structure. Hernandez is made for that role at the tip of the attack, and with Rooney filling in behind him flanked by two explosive wingers, it starts to make sense when thinking about the targets we've signed, or are about to sign, or the players that we are reportedly interested in (notably Sanchez).

Lets assume we sign A Young & Sanchez (though I suspect we'll come up short with the latter). Rooney is the best option we could have in terms of playmaking, goalscoring & (most importantly) helping out the midfield two when required.

What we need in the middle then is a base. Screen the defense and distribute the ball. We currently have Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson & Giggs all capable of playing that role. Sure, there are players out there who are better, but they will all do a more than adequate job. Phil Jones is also a pretty accomplished holding midfielder, if we choose to go that way with him.

I think it might be a wiser decision to go with what we have, strengthen the defense and attack, and who knows over the course of the next year we might see one or all of Pogba, Morrison & Tunnicliffe step up and save us a lot of money.
 
#07 said:
Manchester United showed interest in Mesut Ozil, says agent | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

What I find most interesting about this story is not that it went anywhere its that nobody in the media knew United had even done this until the agent came out with this statement.

It makes you wonder how much of what we see in the papers is actually grounded in any fact at all. We've been linked to all manner of players this summer but not one paper was in the know we approached Ozil.

Indeed, until Phil Jones arrived at United for a medical how many newspapers actually knew we'd gone in for him? They were all wise after the event. Given how little the media seem to know about our transfers I think we can take virtually all the rumours involving United with a pinch of salt.
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The fact we made an inquiry for Ozil and are in for Sanchez suggests Fergie wants another creative player for the final third, But even if this idea of us playing 4-2-3-1 is true, we still need at least one CM added to the 2 part of that formation.
 
RedThaiDevils#7 said:
Let all three players mentioned have a run in the reserves first, they've only played in the U18 level and has only a couple of minutes in the reserves no ?
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Of course. I don't think that Ferguson is plotting his transfer strategy around our hopes of those three emerging anytime soon, but I think we're looking elsewhere in the squad this summer and it might turn out to be a happy sort-of-accident.
 
It would be a bit too bold to base our entire transfer strategy on the assumption that Hernández will be as good or better as he was in his first season. Indeed, one could argue that his emergence strengthens the case for reinforcing the midfield: he's got great movement and he's a lethal goalscorer but his all-round play is lacking so those behind him have to shoulder more of the burden. Therefore we need more quality in CM positions.
 
With so called United targets dropping like flies.Maybe SAF should consider playing Rooney there.
 
RedThaiDevils#7 said:
... However I think we've left out a "MASSIVE" potential... And if we look into the Dutch league I think you'll find the name... Eriksson very popular...

Remember the Danish lad that had a superb game against England ? Even with him claiming he's waiting for the right time to make his move... If there is a team willing to pay for him, I'm pretty sure he might opt for one.
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I wouldn't bet on it. Eriksen has got a pretty sound head on his shoulders. He is playing regularly in a league where he can still develop in his favoured position. At a bigger club he'd play less and most likely be shunted to the wings like most '10's are these days. He's better off staying where he is right now and he knows it. The big clubs knocking on his door right now won't go away in the next 1-2 years he spends in Holland becoming a better player who can step into the starting lineup at a bigger club.
 
There seems to be some misconception about Fergies remarks after the CL final and signing players. What Fergie meant with 'the challenge' of catching up with Barca was more in the philosophy of producing players from within the club who are nurtured with the skills to play a certain way, and not to buy every el dicko el tomo & el harrio. We do already have a large amount of midfielders within the club.
 
Rams said:
There seems to be some misconception about Fergies remarks after the CL final and signing players. What Fergie meant with 'the challenge' of catching up with Barca was more in the philosophy of producing players from within the club who are nurtured with the skills to play a certain way, and not to buy every el dicko el tomo & el harrio. We do already have a large amount of midfielders within the club.
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Misconception by who?
 
Rams said:
There seems to be some misconception about Fergies remarks after the CL final and signing players. What Fergie meant with 'the challenge' of catching up with Barca was more in the philosophy of producing players from within the club who are nurtured with the skills to play a certain way, and not to buy every el dicko el tomo & el harrio. We do already have a large amount of midfielders within the club.
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I don't even know what Fergie said, but surely the idea is always to improve the team. If we had youngsters ready to come in and make a difference in midfield, I'm all for it. But most of them (bar Cleverley) and too young and haven't even had a taste of first team football. If we had a better midfield, maybe we could have waited for them. But it's too big a weak spot not to take care of right now.
 
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